Brown Faces Green Spaces is a dynamic non-profit dedicated to promoting justice, diversity, equity, and inclusion in outdoor and environmental sectors. Since 2017, BFGS has launched programs that support the health and needs of BIPOC communities in Northwest Indiana, empowering youth, seniors, and families of color through healing-centered outdoor experiences and environmental education.
"We don’t have to wear fancy outdoor gear or go out on a trail or riverbank to experience nature, even something as simple as sitting under a tree in your yard can be a respite for the mind. Finding small ways to explore nature can be just as beneficial as a walk in the Grand Canyon. And everyone should benefit from that.
​In a society infused with digital devices and constant distractions, oftentimes people forget that stillness exists somewhere. When we put down the phones and turn off all the noise, there is nature." ​
Current rhetoric around DEI initiatives across the county and in National Parks has made her future uncertain, but Gordon said she and her organization will continue doing what they’ve been doing year after year: catering to people and helping create experiences in safe and welcoming spaces “for us, by us and with us.”​
"Brown Faces Green Spaces reconnected Gary residents with their local waterways, offering a unique chance to explore nature in a city more often defined by its industrial landscape.
Once a year, students and elders are invited to sail the Marquette Lagoon in a 24-foot Voyageur canoe to learn about the science, history, geography, and culture of local waterways in Northwest Indiana, including Lake Michigan and the Calumet River.
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For over an hour, participants ranging from 7 to 74 years old, paddled with guides discussing the history of Marquette Park, which was formed originally as a project by U.S. Steel executives in the 1920s. Afterward, Gordon led a 60-second silent meditation to absorb nature’s beauty: a matte-black double-crested cormorant gliding over the water, lily pads floating among marsh grasses, and sunlight dancing on the smooth water beneath arched bridges."
Our programs are designed to help people of all ages, cultures, and backgrounds connect with the environment and learn about the importance of preserving and protecting our natural resources.
We engage with our communities to cultivate a sense of belonging and sustainable, educational exploration of the rich ecosystems in Northwest Indiana. BFGS is committed to protecting the environment and inspiring nature appreciation, as we believe that outdoor access contributes to happier, healthier lives.
Connecting Culture to Nature & History to the Outdoors
BFGS Founder
Indiana University
School of Public & Environmental Affairs
Kimmie Gordon holds a Master of Public Administration in Environmental Policy from Indiana University’s School of Public & Environmental Affairs. Since 2006, she has led outdoor programs, environmental education, and climate literacy initiatives for youth, seniors, and families of color across Northwest Indiana and Chicagoland — delivering healing-centered experiences, eco-workshops, and forums that address the environmental challenges disproportionately affecting urban communities.
Kimmie Gordon
Founder/Director
